WNBA Expansion Draft Winners and Losers: Fire Choose Upside, Tempo Load Up on Shooting

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo made their first moves ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:06pm by Ben Kaplan

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a WNBA basketball game, with sharp planes of vibrant colors like blue, orange, and silver creating a dynamic, abstract composition.The WNBA expansion draft sets the stage for the Fire and Tempo to build their inaugural rosters through a cubist lens of overlapping shapes and colors.Portland Today

The WNBA expansion draft has filled out the rosters of the new Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo franchises. The Fire made a big splash by selecting Canadian star Bridget Carleton with the first pick, while the Tempo loaded up on shooting talent like Marina Mabrey. Meanwhile, the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces made questionable decisions in the draft that could haunt them.

Why it matters

The expansion draft is a crucial first step for the Fire and Tempo as they build their inaugural WNBA rosters. The decisions made here will shape the trajectory of these new franchises for years to come. The moves by the Sky and Aces also have broader implications for the league, as they could impact the competitive balance and playoff picture.

The details

The Fire and Tempo both made strategic picks in the expansion draft, with the Fire focusing on upside and the Tempo prioritizing shooting. The Fire took Bridget Carleton with the first overall pick, a move that gives them a talented two-way player who can be a centerpiece. The Tempo, meanwhile, added sharpshooter Marina Mabrey, who could thrive in their high-volume offense. In contrast, the Sky's decision to trade down in the draft order and the Aces' choice to leave Aaliyah Nye unprotected raised eyebrows around the league.

  • The WNBA expansion draft was held on April 3, 2026.
  • The 2026 WNBA rookie draft will take place on April 13, 2026.

The players

Bridget Carleton

A Canadian international and former Minnesota Lynx player, Carleton is a good shooter and defender with playoff experience.

Marina Mabrey

An unrestricted free agent with a history of strong 3-point shooting, Mabrey could thrive as a volume shooter for the Tempo.

Angel Reese

The star player for the Chicago Sky, Reese is reportedly unhappy with the team's direction after a 10-34 season.

A'ja Wilson

The centerpiece of the Las Vegas Aces' championship-winning core, Wilson is set to sign a lucrative max contract.

Aaliyah Nye

A promising young player the Aces left unprotected, Nye showed potential as a rookie in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Leaving Aaliyah Nye unprotected was...a choice.”

— Nekias Duncan, NBA Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 WNBA rookie draft will take place on April 13, where the Fire and Tempo will make their first-round selections to further build out their inaugural rosters.

The takeaway

The expansion draft was a crucial first step for the Fire and Tempo, with each team taking a distinct approach. The Fire focused on upside with Bridget Carleton, while the Tempo loaded up on shooting talent like Marina Mabrey. Meanwhile, the decisions by the Sky and Aces raise questions about their roster-building strategies and could have lasting impacts on the league's competitive landscape.